Trip to Guatemala City, September 19 2011

     A couple weeks ago we took a trip to Guatemala City to go to the dump. Yes, the dump, what is here called "basurero." The dump in the city is unique: it is the largest landfill in all of Central America. It is also the workplace of many people who spend their days digging through the trash that is dropped off looking for items able to be recycled. This is how the "guajeros" make their living; they dig through EVERYTHING that is taken to the dump. They sell the things they find to people who buy the recyclible items to then sell to recycling plants. We were inspired to go to the dump after watching a documentary called "Recycled Life" which tells about the guajeros' lives. The trailer for the documentary can be found here: http://www.recycledlifedoc.com/

Trash trucks, mounds of garbage, guajeros, and vultures. What you can't see is the stench.



     It is heartbreaking to see the conditions these people work and live in. (Some do actually live in the dump even though there are regulations in place to protect the guajeros). Our trip was very somber to say the least. I couldn't imagine working in a place like this to earn 5 quetzales, or 70 US cents each day.

     Amongst this terrible situation there is hope for many children of guajeros, that they won't fall into this cycle their parents are caught in. A non-profit organization called Safe Passage has opened learning facilities for adults and kids as well as a day care where they are taught skills that could allow them sustenance outside of the dump. The kids' facilities employ mainly learning reinforcement programs that encourage education. Our tour guide was a staff member of Safe Passage so we were able to tour their facilities. The children there were adorable!
     Although it was disheartening to see this for ourselves, I'm greatful to be more aware of the inequality there is in this world.